The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-10-15
CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN OHIO.

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the Editor of The UNIvERsALIsT. J.
"Gath," the well-known correspondent of
the Cincinnati Enquirer, and other prom
inent journals, said in recent letter,
that "indifferentism was the religion of
one half of humanity" From observa-
ton we are compelled to acknowledge
that the statement is largely and pain
fully true, especially SO, when we come
into the ranks of professed believers in
Universalism. Within the territory Of
almost every organization of our faith
we will find as large, il not larger num-
Der OF people calling themselves Univer-
sslists, who rarely, or never attend
church, except on funerals occasions, as
those who do attend regularly. / some
times think that it is a good thing that
we have to have funeral occasionally, as
at such times many hear something per-
tanning to life and duty, which may be
as seed sown in good ground. The curse
of indifferentism does not stop with
non. attendance at the house Of God.
There are many who do go, when they
"feel like it" that take no greater inter-
est in the welfare OF the church, and per-
NIT the burden, if church work can be
called burden, to rest upon few will
ing, faithful brothers and sisters, instead
of gladly sharing it with them.
If there are dormant Universslist
churches it is because of this Indifferent
ism to obligation and privilege. If
churches that have regular services are
not the leading organizations in their
communities, it is because the member
ships have not been fully imbued with the
spirit of Universalism. While regretting
the dearth that prevails in many parts OF
our Zion in the State, we have not lost
hope for a better state of things, and
trust that the time is not far distant, when
the curse of indifferentism shall be re-
moved and Universalists learn to love the
Universalist church as q Christian home
and as practical power for the saliva
ton of man.
Rev. E. F. Pember
closed his labors with his circuit by SER
vices at Springboro and Ridgeville on
September 25. Large congregations were
present at both places, and five persons
received into the church at Ridgeville.
We know not who will be his successor,
but are informed that Rev. FL. L. Can
field, State Superintendent, is to hold
services at those places on next Sunday,
and Rev. @. q. Conner on the fourth Sun
day of this month.
No invitations have been received
thus far, for the next session of the Ohio
Convention. The persistent opposition
exhibited toward PERM nent place of
meeting, gave reason to believe that
there were many churches that would be
glad to be blessed by entertaining the
Convention. The selection of place is
left with the Executive Committee, which
will hold meeting not far from Deem
Der LIST.
Ordination Service.
The Ordination Service of Br. John
Richardson, which was postponed from
original date, took place at Eaton, Sep
TENDER q Rev. E. F. Pember delivered
the sermon, Rev. e. Moore made the
prayer and gave the charge and Rev. J.
81. Blackford extended the hand of fell
lowship. The services we're participated
in by large and interested congregation.
Rev. w =. Bacon was q member OF the
examp ng council that met the proceed
ing day, but could not remain for the
ordination service.
Br. Richardson's pastorate includes
Eaton, New Paris, Conover and Platts-
vile. At the services held at New Paris
on the second Sunday in September, one
person united with the church, making a
total of thirty-one since the second Sun
day in March. This indicates that when
indifferentism is crushed out by activity,
prosperity is the result.
BY instruction of the Executive Com
mittee, we will send very soon, notices to
the churches of their respective assess
ments for the general work of the Ohio
Convention.
Sister Mollie l.. Jones, of Jefferson
vile, writes, under date of September 10:
81 feel moved to send you praise budget
in which hope you will find something
worthy of a place in your Central and
Southern Ohio letters. We of the Center
and South, look quickly as soon as a fresh
UNIvERsALIsT comes, to zee il our corner
is full; if it is not, we are disappointed,
and comfort ourselves by looking for an
extra supply in the next Last weeks UNI
vERsALIsT contained the names and
places of labor occupied by Tufts men
during the past summer. feel that more
than the statement Of the fact made, is
due to Rev. L. o. Williams, who labored
in Jacksonville and vicinity. He left
many friends here, who are disposed to
give him unlimited praise. He worked
80 faithfully in both pulpit and Sunday
school, that the whole parish was sur.
prised at the continued interest and steady
attendance throughout the entire hot
summer. Br. Williams preached every
Sunday morning in Jacksonville and
Sunday evening in Plymouth(or Milledge
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